893.102S/1916a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)
408. 1. A press report, bearing Shanghai date line October 20, indicates that Mr. Cornell Franklin, American Chairman of the Council of the International Settlement, had made a statement, apparently in reference to the situation in the western extra-Settlement area, to the effect that if necessary he would ask for American Marines to protect American residents.
2. The Department is, of course, sensible of Mr. Franklin’s responsibilities by reason of his position as Chairman of the Council, but suggests that in your discretion you indicate to Mr. Franklin that the Department deprecates the making of statements for publication by American citizens in regard to possible uses of American landed armed forces at Shanghai and that you indicate further to him that, in the event that conditions arise which render it impossible for the Municipal Council with its police and its volunteer corps to maintain peace and order, the proper course would seem to be for the Council to take the matter up collectively with the representatives at Shanghai of the interested powers.
Sent to Shanghai only.